Current Treatments
BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.

COPAXONE is the brand name for glatiramer acetate (formerly known as copolymer-1). Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 – 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a purified 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of Rebif® is identical to that of natural fibroblast derived human interferon beta. Natural interferon beta and interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) are glycosylated with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody that affects the actions of the body's immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage. Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 		Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a phingosine 1-phosphate receptormodulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lympohcytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Early Symptoms
The most common early symptoms of MS include:
* Tingling * Numbness
* Loss of balance
* Weakness in one or more limbs
* Blurred or double vision

Less common symptoms of MS may include
* Slurred speech
* Sudden onset of paralysis
* Lack of coordination
* Cognitive difficulties
Listed above, the early symptoms. I tend to be a poster child for these. The symptoms that occur later on are too numerous just to list. There will be a link included that will get you to a site where these symptoms are listed and explained. Keep in mind that someone may have some of these or many of these, there is no way to tell.
Multiple sclerosis statistics show that approximately 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis is nearly the same as for those without MS. Because of this, multiple sclerosis statistics place the annual cost of MS in the United States in the billions of dollars. MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates -- such as those found in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe -- than in tropical regions. Furthermore, the age of 15 seems to be significant in terms of risk for developing the disease. Some studies indicate that a person moving from a high-risk (temperate) to a low-risk (tropical) area before the age of 15 tends to adopt the risk (in this case, low) of the new area and vice versa. Other studies suggest that people moving after age 15 maintain the risk of the area where they grew up.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Federal Focus Take Action! February 2011 House Reintroduces the Congressional MS Caucus

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is pleased to announce the reintroduction of the Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a new Congress commences, the MS Caucus offers great opportunity to educate new Congressional Members and staff and engage returning Members about the impact of multiple sclerosis. Ask your Member of Congress to join the MS Caucus today!

The Congressional MS Caucus provides you, as an MS activist, with champions in Congress to count on for leadership and support of MS issues. The group helps bolster our advocacy efforts and gives us an even more effective presence on Capitol Hill. The bi-partisan MS Caucus serves as a forum for members of Congress, their staff, related organizations, and individuals to discuss critical health care, disability, research, and other issues affecting people living with MS and their families. The MS Caucus raises awareness about the disease and helps us move closer to a world free of MS.

Since 2007, the Congressional MS Caucus has become a large and active body in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. At the end of the 111th Congress, we had 133 Representatives and 23 Senators on the MS Caucus. The MS Caucus in the House will continue to be led by our previous dedicated co-chairs Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26th) and Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO- 3rd) and will join efforts with our Senate Caucus co-chairs Senator Orrin Hatch (UT) and Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA).

Now is the time to begin recruiting Members to support the MS movement. Email your Representative today and ask him/her to join the MS Caucus now!

As 112th Congress Commences, Focus on Transitional Roles and Budget

January 2011 began a new era in Congress. Over the past month, the new Members of Congress have been sworn into office and the Republicans assumed the majority in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats retained control in the Senate. These changes have resulted in a transformation in Congressional committee make-up and leadership. Since the 111th Congress, all House committees have changed leadership and size; in the Senate, the leadership has remained consistent, though committee make-up has changed some.

The new Republican House leadership has also announced a new legislative agenda for this session of Congress. The main priority currently is to contain spending efforts. In an attempt to reach this goal, House leadership has guidelines to significantly reduce discretionary spending, which includes banning appropriations for special projects, (otherwise known as earmarks) and potentially rolling back spending to 2008 levels. Another issue is how Congress will complete Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations. At the end of last session, the 111th Congress approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) that largely flat funds the federal government and federal programs until March 4. The final funding level for two Society priorities—multiple sclerosis research funding within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and the Lifespan Respite Care Program—will depend on which path Congress takes.

As these efforts move forward, the National MS Society will monitor how these changes could impact our community and keep you informed of any ways you can get engaged.

MS Society Will Honor 2010 Representatives and Senator of the Year

Each year, the National MS Society recognizes the elected officials who have worked to improve the lives of people with multiple sclerosis. These elected officials supported the Society, our chapters, our policy priorities, and most importantly—people living with multiple sclerosis throughout 2010. The National MS Society is pleased to announce the Representatives and Senator of the Year for 2010:

* Representative James R. Langevin (RI-2nd)
* Representative William “Mac” Thornberry (TX-13th)
* Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA)

These awardees were nominated by chapters and selected unanimously by the Society’s National Board of Directors. Each honoree will be recognized at the 2011 MS Public Policy Conference in March. We would like to thank these leaders for working to improve the quality of life for those affected by MS and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the 112th Congress.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org
Posted by Steve at Friday, February 04, 2011

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About Me

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North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
Well-educated, disabled at this point with Multiple Sclerosis. I am very glad that I was able to do the things that I have been able to do over the years. had to change the picture, this one's more realistic.